English II Honors Academic Library (1st Semester)
Focused on application, this sophomore English course reinforces literary analysis and 21st-century skills with superb pieces of literature and literary nonfiction, application e-resources, and educational interactives. Each thematic unit focuses on specific literary analysis skills and allows students to apply them to a range of genres and text structures.

​Use of your online Gale Library resources will provide you access to much material for your research which can be combined with your other research options as you further develop your thinking and writing skills.  

A copy of the English II Honors Course Overview 
Students should see our statement about these courses which are not authored from a biblical worldview. Students uncomfortable with these courses should enroll in our courses from a biblical worldview ​

english ii honors

Unit 1 - ​Stories from around the World
  1. Analyzing Word Choice and Author’s Purpose in Short Stories Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How does word choice support an author’s purpose?
    3. Assignment - Read “The Crab That Played with the Sea” to analyze the impact that word choice has on meaning and tone.
    4. Instruction - How does word choice support an author’s purpose?
    5. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    6. Quiz Answers
  2. Analyzing Character, Theme, and Plot in Short Stories Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How do characters and plot develop theme in a story?
    3. Assignment - Read from The Arabian Nights Entertainments to analyze characters and plot structure.
    4. Instruction - How do characters and plot develop theme in a story?
    5. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    6. Quiz Answers
  3. Determine Meaning: Words and Phrases Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - What strategies can be applied to determine the meanings of words and phrases?
    3. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    4. Assignment - Practice determining the meanings of words and phrases.
    5. Quiz Answers
  4. Comparing Archetypes in Literature Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up = Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How do archetypes and themes compare in literature from around the world?
    3. Assignment - Read “The Story of a Warrior Queen” to analyze character types.
    4. Instruction - How do archetypes and themes compare in literature from around the world?
    5. Assignment - Read “The Royal House of Thebes” to analyze archetypes and theme.
    6. Instruction - How do archetypes and themes compare in literature from around the world?
    7. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    8. Quiz Answers
  5. Analyzing Idea Development in an Essay Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - What techniques does an author use to effectively communicate ideas to readers?
    3. Assignment - Read to analyze how the author develops the purpose and the central ideas.
    4. Instruction - What techniques does an author use to effectively communicate ideas to readers?
    5. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    6. Quiz Answers
  6. Writing a Narrative Essay about Being Judged Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How do you write a narrative that conveys an experience and captivates an audience?
    3. Prewriting - Plan to write a narrative essay.
    4. Instruction - How do you write a narrative that conveys an experience and captivates an audience?
    5. Drafting - Draft your narrative essay.
    6. Instruction - How do you write a narrative that conveys an experience and captivates an audience?
    7. Revising - Revise your draft by including sensory words and descriptive details.
    8. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    9. Quiz Answers
  7. Unit Test
    1. Unit Test Review Answers
    2. Unit Test Answers
Unit 2 - ​Life-Changing Journeys
  1. Analyzing Author's Purpose and Perspective in a Travelogue Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How does an author effectively document a journey in a travelogue?
    3. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    4. Assignment - Read from The Travels of Marco Polo to analyze and comprehend a travelogue.
    5. Quiz Answers
  2. Analyzing a Memoir Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson
    2. Instruction - How does word choice reveal an author’s viewpoint and support a purpose?
    3. Assignment - Read chapter 7 from Night by Elie Wiesel to analyze the effect of word choice.
    4. Instruction - How does word choice reveal an author’s viewpoint and support a purpose?
    5. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    6. Quiz Answers
  3. Comparing Genres: Biography and Editorial Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How does an author use different genres to support a common purpose?
    3. Assignment - Read “The Children of the Drug Wars” to analyze the author’s purpose.
    4. Instruction - How does an author use different genres to support a common purpose?
    5. Assignment - Read from Enrique’s Journey to analyze the author’s purpose.
    6. Instruction - How does an author use different genres to support a common purpose?
    7. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    8. Quiz Answers
  4. Parts of Speech and Types of Phrases Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How do phrases help writers convey ideas precisely?
    3. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    4. Assignment - Practice using various phrases to convey precise ideas.
    5. Quiz Answers 
  5. Writing an Essay to Compare the Presentation of Ideas across Genres Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How do you write an essay that compares the presentation of ideas across genres?
    3. Prewriting - Plan to write a comparative essay.
    4. Instruction - How do you write an essay that compares the presentation of ideas across genres?
    5. Drafting - draft your comparative essay.
    6. Instruction - How do you write an essay that compares the presentation of ideas across genres?
    7. Revising - Revise your draft by including sensory words and descriptive details.
    8. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    9. Quiz Answers
  6. Unit Test
    1. Unit Test Review Answers
    2. Unit Test Answers
Unit 3 - ​Sugar Changed the World
  1. Sugar Changed the World, Part 1: Author’s Purpose Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How can a reader determine an author’s purpose?
    3. Assignment - Read from Sugar Changed the World to explain the use of prologue, text structure, and text features.
    4. Instruction - How can a reader determine an author’s purpose?
    5. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    6. Quiz Answers
  2. Sugar Changed the World, Part 2: Central Ideas Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How do specific details help develop a central idea in a nonfiction text?
    3. Assignment - Read from Sugar Changed the World to identify and analyze the development of central ideas.
    4. Instruction - How do specific details help develop a central idea in a nonfiction text?
    5. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    6. Quiz Answers
  3. Sugar Changed the World, Part 3: Word Choice and Multimedia Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How do word choice and multimedia develop claim and purpose?
    3. Assignment - Read from Sugar Changed the World to analyze how word choice develops a claim and purpose.
    4. Instruction - How do word choice and multimedia develop claim and purpose?
    5. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    6. Quiz Answers
  4. Sugar Changed the World, Part 4: Building Claims Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How does an author effectively develop a claim in a nonfiction text?
    3. Assignment - Read from Sugar Changed the World to analyze the authors’ claim and supporting historical evidence.
    4. Instruction - How does an author effectively develop a claim in a nonfiction text?
    5. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    6. Quiz Answers
  5. Sugar Changed the World, Part 5: Developing and Refining Ideas Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How does an author use details to develop and refine the central ideas in a nonfiction text?
    3. Assignment - Read from Sugar Changed the World to analyze how authors use details to refine and develop central ideas.
    4. Instruction - How does an author use details to develop and refine the central ideas in a nonfiction text?
    5. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    6. Quiz Answers
  6. Unit Test
    1. Unit Test Review Answers
    2. Unit Test Answers
Unit 4 - ​The Power of Humor
  1. Analyzing Satire in Fiction Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How does an author use satire to develop theme?
    3. Assignment - Read “The Storyteller” to analyze how Saki uses irony and characterization to create satire.
    4. Instruction - How does an author use satire to develop theme?
    5. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    6. Quiz Answers
  2. Comparing Ideas across Genres Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How do writers express ideas and perspectives about the same topic through different genres?
    3. Assignment - Read “The Veil” to analyze how ideas are developed in a graphic novel.
    4. Instruction - How do writers express ideas and perspectives about the same topic through different genres?
    5. Assignment - Read from Does My Head Look Big in This? to analyze how narrative tone reveals perspective.
    6. Instruction - How do writers express ideas and perspectives about the same topic through different genres?
    7. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    8. Quiz Answers
  3. Analyzing Different Interpretations of a Sonnet Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How does a reader explain different interpretations of a sonnet?
    3. Assignment - Read “Sonnet 100” to recognize structural elements.
    4. Instruction - How does a reader explain different interpretations of a sonnet?
    5. Assignment - Read “Sonnet 130” to comprehend the central idea of a sonnet.
    6. Instruction - How does a reader explain different interpretations of a sonnet?
    7. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    8. Short Writing - Write a Shakespearean sonnet.
    9. Quiz Answers
  4. Analyzing Satire in Editorial Cartoons Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How does satire develop purpose and perspective in editorial cartoons?
    3. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    4. Assignment - Practice analyzing and evaluating editorial cartoons.
    5. Quiz Answers  
  5. Refining Discussion Techniques Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How do you effectively prepare for and engage in a group discussion?
    3. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    4. Assignment - Evaluate a group discussion.
    5. Project: Group Discussion - Participate in a group discussion.
    6. Quiz Answers
  6. Writing a Research-Based Informative Essay about the Benefits of Humor Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How do you use research to inform an audience about a topic?
    3. Prewriting - Plan to write a research-based informative essay.
    4. Instruction - How do you use research to inform an audience about a topic?
    5. Drafting - Draft your research-based informative essay.
    6. Instruction - How do you use research to inform an audience about a topic?
    7. Revising - Revise your draft for readability.
    8. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    9. Project: Informative Presentation - Create an informative multimedia presentation.
    10. Quiz Answers
  7. Unit Test
    1. Unit Test Review Answers
    2. Unit Test Answers
Unit 5 - ​Animal Farm
  1. Animal Farm, Part 1: Satire Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How does an author use conflict and characters to create satire?
    3. Assignment - Read from Animal Farm to analyze characters.
    4. Instruction - How does an author use conflict and characters to create satire?
    5. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    6. Quiz Answers 
  2. Animal Farm, Part 2: Allegory Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How does an author use literary devices to develop an allegory?
    3. Assignment - Read chapter 2 from Animal Farm to analyze literary devices and make predictions.
    4. Instruction - How does an author use literary devices to develop an allegory?
    5. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    6. Quiz Answers
  3. Animal Farm, Part 3: Central Idea Development Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How does an author develop central ideas related to culture and society?
    3. Assignment - Read chapters 3 and 4 from Animal Farm to explain how central ideas are developed.
    4. Instruction - How does an author develop central ideas related to culture and society?
    5. Summary -Review and connect what you learned.
    6. Quiz Answers
  4. Animal Farm, Part 4: Conflict Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How does an author use conflict to advance the plot of an allegory?
    3. Assignment - Read chapter 5 of Animal Farm to analyze conflict.
    4. Instruction - How does an author use conflict to advance the plot of an allegory?
    5. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    6. Quiz Answers
  5. Animal Farm, Part 5: Motivation and Values Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How does analysis of character motivation reveal cultural values?
    3. Assignment - Read chapter 6 of Animal Farm to analyze character motivation and pacing.
    4. Instruction - How does analysis of character motivation reveal cultural values?
    5. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    6. Quiz Answers
  6. Animal Farm, Part 6: Author’s Purpose Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How does historical context influence an author’s stylistic choices?
    3. Assignment - Read chapter 7 of Animal Farm to analyze how literary devices support the author’s purpose.
    4. Instruction - How does historical context influence an author’s stylistic choices?
    5. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    6. Quiz Answers
  7. Animal Farm, Part 7: Rhetoric Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How does propaganda in Animal Farm reveal the book’s theme?
    3. Assignment - Read chapters 8 and 9 of Animal Farm to analyze propaganda and themes.
    4. Instruction - How does propaganda in Animal Farm reveal the book’s theme?
    5. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    6. Quiz Answers
  8. Animal Farm, Part 8: Satire and Irony Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How do satire and irony reveal theme?
    3. Assignment - Read chapter 10 of Animal Farm to analyze the author’s use of satire and irony.
    4. Instruction - How do satire and irony reveal theme?
    5. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    6. Quiz Answers
  9. Evaluating Propaganda Techniques Guided Notes
    1. Warm-Up - Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction - How is propaganda used to promote ideas and beliefs?
    3. Summary - Review and connect what you learned.
    4. Assignment - Analyze and evaluate propaganda techniques.
    5. Propaganda Poster - Create a propaganda poster.
    6. Quiz Answers
  10. Unit Test
    1. Unit Test Review Answers
    2. Unit Test Answers
Unit 6 - ​Cumulative Exam
  1. Cumulative Exam Review Answers
    1. Cumulative Exam Answers